Hanoi (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic has delayed his upcoming visit to Vietnam this week because of “the most recent international developments,” the European Union representatives in Hanoi announced.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and European Union leaders are scheduled to visit Vietnam in the next few weeks in a rotation of diplomatic activity amid growing threats from U.S. trade tariffs, officials said.
European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, Sefcovic, was scheduled to arrive in Vietnam on Thursday and participate in a press event on Friday organised by the European Chamber of Commerce.
Will trade tensions derail EU-Vietnam relations?
“Considering the latest international developments, the commissioner will come at a later stage, probably July,”
In a statement to Reuters, the EU delegation commented on the extensive global tariffs that the United States imposed last week, which are set to take effect on Wednesday. The delegation remarked that the EU’s commitment to enhancing trade with Vietnam has not changed.
In 2019, the EU and Vietnam finalized a free trade agreement. According to a senior European Union official, Reuters reported that Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, might visit the country in May to “formally enhance relations.” The official also indicated that French President Emmanuel Macron may visit later that month, in response to Communist Party of Vietnam chief To Lam’s visit to Paris in October.
Will Spain’s strategic upgrade spark deeper EU ties?
On Wednesday, Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, separately held talks with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi during a two-country visit to East Asia, which will conclude in Beijing on Friday.
Moreover, the leaders of Spain and Vietnam pledged to upgrade ties to the highest level. While in Hanoi, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his counterpart Pham Minh Chinh signed a joint declaration to enhance their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Sanchez said Spain was committed to an international order based on rules, “free trade and economic freedom”.
“Trade wars benefit no one, but harm everyone,”
He said.
“In a global context as complex as the one we are in, the Spanish government is firmly committed to the opening up of our country and Europe to Southeast Asia,”
He also said.
